A Godly HeartPsalms 37:1-8 The Lord promises to give us the desires of our hearts. But many people take this passage out of context, forgetting that their own mindset plays a vital part in bringing it to fruition. As my mother once said, "Where your mind goes, your feet go, so be careful what you think about."
What is your responsibility when it comes to claiming promises from God?
Delight yourselves in the Lord (Ps. 37:4). Christians should rejoice in God and desire to walk in obedience. The Lord must have first place in your life before you can claim the promise in this verse.
Commit your way to the Lord (v. 5). Allow God to change any aspect of your ambition that is not His will.
Trust in Him (v. 5). God is merciful, all-knowing, kind, and generous. You can trust Him with your hopes and dreams.
Rest in Him (v. 7). Resting in the Lord means trusting Him to answer prayers in His timing or transform your aspirations so they conform to His will.
Wait upon the Lord patiently (v. 7). Jesus waited three decades before beginning His three-year ministry on earth. According to His example, waiting is one of the key principles of Christian living.
Do your desires align with God's purpose and plan for your life? He longs to give His followers abundant blessings and fullness of joy. So allow your dreams to be conformed to the Lord's will, and follow His guidance faithfully. Only when you surrender to Him will you experience God's best for your life.
Do What Pleases God
There is power in revenge. Intoxicating power. Haven’t we tasted it? Haven’t we been tempted to get even? As we escort the offender into the courtroom, we announce, “He hurt me!” and jurors shake their heads in disgust. “He abandoned me!” we explain, and the chambers echo with our accusation. “Guilty!” the judge snarls as he slams the gavel. “Guilty!” the jury agrees. We delight in this moment of justice. We relish this pound of flesh.
I don’t mean to be cocky, but why are you doing God’s work for Him? “Vengeance” is Mine,” God declared. “I will repay.” Proverbs 20:22 says, “Don’t say, ‘I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.’ Wait for the Lord, and He will make things right.” Judgment is God’s job. To assume otherwise is to assume God can’t do it. God has not asked us to settle the score or get even. Ever!
The Wisdom of God
“And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.” (1 Kings 3:28)
Although God’s wisdom is expounded in depth in the Scriptures, there are only seven times that the specific phrase “the wisdom of God” is used as such. The above text is indicating that God’s wisdom can actually be manifested in men through divine inspiration. The Persian king recognized this also in Ezra. “And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges . . . all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not” (Ezra 7:25). The wisdom of God thus is always consistent with the laws of God—that is, with the Scriptures.
The first New Testament reference is from Christ. “Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles” (Luke 11:49). Here the Lord is applying a scriptural principle from 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, in effect calling the Scriptures themselves “the wisdom of God.”
Then Paul three times uses the same phrase: “In the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God.” Human wisdom can never, by itself, discover God, but this very fact is bound up in the divine wisdom, revealed only through the Word of God. “We preach . . . Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” That is, through both the written word and the living Word, we can proclaim true wisdom. “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery . . . which God ordained before the world unto our glory” (1 Corinthians 1:21, 23-24; 2:7).
Finally, with God’s wisdom manifested through chosen men of God, we also can preach true wisdom in Christ, “to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:10). HMM
Walking in the Spirit
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
This promise in our text is followed in a later Pauline epistle by two nuanced commands in the letter to the church at Galatia.
“This I say then,” Paul says, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Then again, “if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
Although they appear to be the same command in English, there is a significant distinction in the original Greek language in which Paul penned the letters.
Both the Romans 8:1 and the Galatians 5:16 passages use the word perepeto, which carries the connotation to “walk around” and to “be at liberty.”
The second iteration in Galatians 5:25 uses stoicheo, which means to “step precisely,” to “march,” or to “go in procession.” Same command but different emphasis.
The context of Galatians 5 stresses the difference between a lifestyle of fleshly behavior and a life controlled by the Holy Spirit. The “fruits” of the flesh and the “fruit” of the Spirit are diametrically opposed. They cannot exist together; they are not harmonious (Romans 8:5-8). We either “mind” the things of the flesh or the “things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).
The Christian walk has great liberty (Romans 8:21), but that liberty must “step precisely” in honesty (Romans 13:13), good works (Ephesians 2:10), and in truth (2 John 4-6). Our walk is expected to be by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), and we are to conduct a spiritual warfare in the Holy Spirit’s power (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) protected by the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). HMM III
The Power to Edify
“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” (2 Corinthians 13:10)
The Greek word oikodomos (translated as “edification”) pictures the building of a house. We still use the word edifice to describe a structure of some importance. Paul specifically said he had the “power” to edify and later called himself a “wise masterbuilder,” an architekton, who laid the foundation on which we would later build (1 Corinthians 3:10).
When Jesus used oikodomos to depict those who might build their house on a rock (His Word) or the sand (the ideas of men), He was painting a picture of how we should edify each other (Luke 6:48-49). The various gifts of leadership are to be used to “perfect” the saints in the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12), using the living “stones” that will build the “spiritual house” of God (1 Peter 2:5).
And like any good builder, the Christian carpenter has tools of the trade to assist the process. There are “things which make for peace” that must be employed (Romans 14:19). Most certainly “charity” is a major tool (1 Corinthians 8:1), along with good communication that does not “corrupt” the building work (Ephesians 4:29).
Since “all things” are to be done so that the church is edified (1 Corinthians 14:26), it surely follows that “fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions” are not helpful (1 Timothy 1:4). Effective communication demands that those with whom we are speaking understand what is said, hence a mysterious “tongue” does not publicly edify like prophecy does (1 Corinthians 14:2-4).
An “edified” church walks “in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:31). HMM III
A Truly New Thing
“How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.” (Jeremiah 31:22)
Long ago, the wise man concluded: “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That nothing is now being created is even recognized as a scientific law.
But God reminds us as He reminded His backsliding people of Israel that He has, indeed, created one new thing in the earth. Since only God can “create,” a really new thing would have to be produced directly by the Lord Himself. Of course, God had completed His original work of creating all things long ago (Genesis 2:1-3), including a marvelous mechanism for human reproduction. Nevertheless, because of man’s sin, He very soon had to begin a work of reconciliation, and this included a primeval promise that “the seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15) would come someday to accomplish this great work. Since all normal reproduction requires male seed, such a miracle would mean God would have to create a new thing when the appropriate time would come. At that time, as Isaiah prophesied many years later, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,” and that Son would be “the mighty God,” who would establish His kingdom “with justice from henceforth even for ever” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7).
Then, still later, Jeremiah reminded his forgetful people of this same great promise: God would create, by His mighty power, a new thing, a perfect human body, without inherited sin or physical blemish, and with no contribution from either male or female, in the womb of a specially called virgin. She would compass that “holy thing” (Luke 1:35) with warmth and love for nine long months as it grew in her womb. Then, in the fullness of time, “God sent forth his Son, made of a woman” (Galatians 4:4), to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). HMM
Our Incomparable CompanionJohn 14:16-18
Most of us don’t like being alone for extended periods of time. In fact, we are not designed to live in isolation. Even at the very beginning, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). But sometimes situations in life leave us separated from others. Or perhaps we simply feel lonely, even though we live with our mate or family. But whatever your situation may be, if you are a believer, you’re never alone.
Knowing His followers could feel abandoned after His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus promised to send them a Helper who would never leave them—the Spirit of truth. The same One who came to them at Pentecost still abides within every believer. He has been sent to walk alongside us as our comforter, enabler, and guide.
The Holy Spirit, unlike human companions, is perfectly adequate to meet our every need. Since He knows us intimately, He can comfort us in pain and loss when no one else can. Anytime we find ourselves in a quandary, He knows exactly what we ought to do. Since the future is laid bare before His eyes, He’s aware of all the details that concern us. What’s more, He promises to guide us each step of the way, calming our fears and overcoming our inadequacies.
Because we were created for God, only through His Spirit are we made complete. He is the ultimate solution to man’s aloneness: He’s always available and will never forsake or forget you. When others let you down, the Comforter is present to lift you up with the reminder that you’re not alone.
We Need a Good Shepherdby Max Lucado
Sheep aren�t smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They have no sense of direction. They need a shepherd to lead them to calm water. So do we! We, like sheep, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour.
Isaiah 53:6 reminds us, �We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way.� We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us. And Jesus is that Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The Shepherd who protects, provides, and possesses his sheep. The Psalmist says: The Lord is my shepherd! (Psalm 23). The imagery is carried over to the New Testament as Jesus is called the good shepherd of the sheep. (John 10:14-15).
What You Won't Regret - by Greg Laurie -
Proverbs 16:18 reminds us as humility goes before honor, �pride goes before a fall.�
Ever wonder why churches are powerful in one generation but empty the next? The Bible says, the Lord will tear down the house of the proud. God hates arrogance. He hates it because we haven�t done anything to be arrogant about. Is there a Pulitzer for ink? Can you imagine a scalpel growing smug after a successful heart transplant? Of course not. They are only tools. So are we. We may be the canvas, the paper, or the scalpel, but we are not the one who deserve the applause.
David declares who does in Psalm 23, �He makes me, He leads me, He restores my soul� for His name's sake." For His name's sake! No other name. This is all done for God�s glory. He takes the credit, not because He needs it, but because He knows we cannot handle it!
Out of the Ivory Palaces
�All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.� (Psalm 45:8)
Psalm 45 is one of the Messianic psalms, quoted as such in Hebrews 1:8-9. The section so quoted (vv. 6-7), which immediately precedes our text, begins with one Person of the Godhead addressing the Messiah also as �God,� whose throne is eternal. Then, He says, �Oh God, . . . thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.� The �oil of gladness� was the holy oil used for the anointing of priests and kings and was compounded of a mixture of spices that included myrrh and cassia (Exodus 30:22-25). Since the Messiah had been anointed to be �above his fellows� (first as High Priest, then as King of kings), �all his garments� would bear the sweet aroma of the holy ointment.
At the birth of Christ, His garments were �swaddling clothes,� and the gifts of the eastern wise men included a supply of myrrh and frankincense (Luke 2:7; Matthew 2:11). At His death, they gave Him to drink �wine mingled with myrrh [and] . . . parted his garments� (Mark 15:23-24). Then once again His body was wrapped in linen clothes and anointed with myrrh and aloes (John 19:39-40) for His burial.
The psalmist sees Christ (i.e., �Messiah,� both Greek and Hebrew titles meaning �the Anointed One�) emerging triumphantly from the �ivory palaces.� These mansions with their ivory walls and pearly gates are of shimmering white beauty in the distant heavenly city that will someday descend to Earth (Revelation 21:2, 10-21).
The Lord descended once from these ivory palaces to take on human flesh in Mary�s womb, thence to a burial in Joseph�s tomb. But someday He will again come forth, anointed as eternal King, and then �shall the people praise thee for ever and ever� (Psalm 45:17). HMM
Our Divine Teacher
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
One of the reasons that many people�including believers�don�t read the Bible is because they can�t understand it. We would expect that to be the case for those who don�t know Christ, but why do so many believers fail to comprehend the truths of Scripture? Maybe it�s because they haven�t asked for help from their divine Teacher. One of the Holy Spirit�s chief responsibilities is to enable Christians to understand the things of God.
When looking at believers who know more than we do, we�ll sometimes think, I will never be able to reach that level. The issue, however, isn�t how much knowledge you have right now, but whether you are growing in your understanding. The Spirit will teach you what you need to know, not necessarily what others know. Because He wants to make us godly people, He�ll give us enough truth each day to change our lives. He will interpret the meaning and give an application designed specifically for each person.
The Spirit�s goal is not to fill your mind with information but to bring you to a deeper level in your relationship with the Lord. He wants you to understand the truth so you will fall in love with Jesus. Then you�ll long to spend time in the Word, thereby getting to know Him even better.
But all these treasures of God�s Word could remain out of reach if you never ask the Teacher to unlock them. Each time you read your Bible, ask the Lord for understanding. A wonderfully intimate love relationship with Christ awaits those who let the Spirit reveal to them the thoughts of God.
Where Fearless Courage Comes From - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Anxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs. The sky is falling, and it�s falling disproportionately on you. Anxiety ain�t fun! One would think Christians would be exempt from worry but we are not. It�s enough to make us wonder if the apostle Paul was out of touch with reality when he wrote in Philippians 4:6, �Be anxious for nothing.�
Is that what he meant? Not exactly. He wrote the phrase in the present active tense�implying an ongoing state. �Don�t let anything in life leave you perpetually breathless and in angst.� The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. Could you use some calm? Of course you could. We all could! We all could use a word of comfort and God is ready to give it.
The Amen
�For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.� (2 Corinthians 1:20)
The word �amen� is a most remarkable word. It is transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best-known word in human speech.
The word is directly related�in fact, almost identical�to the Hebrew word for �believe� (aman), or �faithful.� Thus, it came to mean �sure� or �truly,� an expression of absolute trust and confidence. When one believes God, he indicates his faith by an �amen.� When God makes a promise, the believer�s response is �amen���so it will be!� In the New Testament it is often translated �verily� or �truly.� When we pray according to His Word and His will, we know God will answer, so we close with an �amen,� and so also do we conclude a great hymn or anthem of praise and faith.
The word is even a title of Christ Himself. The last of His letters to the seven churches begins with a remarkable salutation by the glorified Lord: �These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God� (Revelation 3:14). We can be preeminently certain that His Word is always faithful and true because He is none other than the Creator of all things, and thus He is our eternal �Amen.�
As our text reminds us, every promise of God in Christ is �yea and amen,� as strong an affirmation of truth as can be expressed in the Greek language.
It is, therefore, profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an �amen.� �The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen� (Revelation 22:21), assuring everyone who reads these words that the whole Book is absolutely true and trustworthy. Amen! HMM
Why God Speaks
James 1:23-25
God is not one to speak in generalities. When He whispers from the pages of Scripture or confronts through a friend's words, the Father directly addresses issues in His children's lives. With that in mind, let's look at His three goals for communicating with believers�namely, for us to:
1. Comprehend the truth. God wants us to learn His ways and principles, to recognize our own frailty, and to identify the needs of others. He does more than offer this as head knowledge�He makes truth applicable to our lives. For example, the Lord assured Paul that His strength was sufficient to carry the apostle through anything (2 Cor. 12:9). Circumstances taught the apostle that God's Word was true.
2. Conform to the truth. Our lives are shaped by our belief system. What we hold as true influences our thinking. In turn, how we think affects our character, conduct, and conversation. God is determined to mold His children into Christlikeness so that they reflect His gospel to the world.
3. Communicate the truth. Every child of God is called to make disciples (Matt. 28:19). Believers can know the Lord and walk in His light but still fall short of this expectation. We must share the gospel by sharing God's truth with others and explaining how His words played out in our lives.
Notice that each goal builds on the one preceding it. Christians are a light reflecting God's glory to this world. We shine brightly by being attentive to God's voice and following His will. And when someone takes an interest in the source of our light, we are prepared to share the good news of Christ.
Spirit Dominated - by Greg Laurie -
Confession isn�t a punishment for sin; it�s an isolation of sin so it can be exposed and extracted. Exactly what is it that you need forgiveness for? For being a bad person? That�s too general. For losing your patience in the business meeting and calling your coworker a creep? There, you can confess that.
Be firm in a prayer of confession. Satan traffics in guilt and will not give up an addict without a fight. Exercise your authority as a child of God. Tell guilt where to get off. �I left you at the cross, you evil spirit. Stay there!�
Then for heaven�s sake, stop tormenting yourself. Jesus is strong enough to carry your sin. Psalm 103:12 says, �He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.�
Before you say amen�comes the power of a simple prayer.
Genuine Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:8-10
Because we desire to be more like Jesus, we make resolutions, ask Him to help us, and try to behave differently. Yet despite our best efforts to do things God's way, we slide back into old habits. Frustrated, we may ask Him, "Why can't I change?" The reason is, overcoming sinful attitudes and behaviors starts with genuine repentance, which has three aspects.
Conviction. The Holy Spirit will reveal the areas in which we've sinned and convict us of wrongdoing. Through Scripture, the Spirit shows us God's standard and what needs to change. Repentance begins with understanding where we have gone astray.
Contrition. The next step--grieving over our iniquity--is followed by confession to the Lord. Genuine sorrow arises from the knowledge that we've sinned against Him. In contrast, human unhappiness often comes from being caught misbehaving. Other times we are miserable because of where our choices led us, or feel shame that people know about our sin. True contrition is followed by humble confession.
Commitment to act. Real repentance is complete when we wholeheartedly pledge to turn from our old behavior and move toward righteous ways. God knows we won't live perfectly, but He looks for a surrendered heart that diligently seeks to obey Him.
Paul used strong language when telling us to turn from iniquity: "Put to death... whatever belongs to your earthly nature" (Col. 3:5 niv). What sin are you struggling to overcome? Have you genuinely repented, committing to turn from it permanently? Let the Holy Spirit empower you to change.
People of Purpose
www.harvest.org
Luke 15:11-24
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger brother asked to receive his inheritance early so he might live as he chose. Once the father gave him his share, he made many unwise choices that led to hunger and destitution. What happened next illustrates the principles of godly repentance.
After squandering all his money, the young man found work feeding pigs, a bottom-of-the-barrel kind of job. One day he came to his senses and recognized his terrible plight. His repentance began with an awareness of his wrong choices and the fact that his bad situation was due to them.
Knowing that his difficulties came from his sinful behavior, the prodigal grieved over his mistakes and acknowledged that he had sinned against the Lord (v. 18). He declared he was no longer worthy to be his father's son. Godly sorrow and confession led the young man to leave that place and go home. His repentance was made complete when he turned away from his old ways and returned to his father. The Lord likewise calls us to repent and return to Him.
What a welcome the prodigal son received. Upon seeing him, the father was filled with compassion and ran to embrace him. Forgiveness and acceptance were extended to the son. Both are blessings that God freely offers to whoever asks Him.
The prodigal son did not clean himself up before returning home. He simply left his old life, turned toward home, and trusted in his father's mercy. The heavenly Father calls us to repent and offers us forgiveness when we turn away from our self-centered ways and move toward godliness (1 John 1:9).
God Knows Me
�O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.� (Psalm 139:1)
Perhaps the most frightening attribute of God is that He knows everything about us. Everything! He has �searched� (literally �penetrated�) us and �known� (�understood�) us. And since God is both omnipresent and omniscient, it obviously follows that nothing escapes His conscious knowledge about us. He observes our ordinary activities (v. 2) and our innermost thoughts. �Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways� (v. 3). The Hebrew word translated �compassest� suggests that He actually sees the formation of the words in our tongues before we begin to speak them (v. 4). That means that we are transparent to Him; we cannot deceive Him in any way. He knows what we are going to think; we cannot hide anything from Him. God knows what only we know about ourselves and those things we won�t even admit to ourselves.
Furthermore, He is everywhere around each one of us (vv. 7-10), wherever we are or could be. He fills all space, and there is no escape. We cannot hide from God. He is wherever we go. The apostle Paul once observed: �For in him we live, and move, and have our being� (Acts 17:28). This very intimate and complete knowledge about us is what makes God�s salvation such a marvelous matter. �For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us� (Romans 5:6-8). God loves us in spite of what we have become. Yet, since He knows what we could be, He gives us eternal life through His Son so that we will realize, one day, what He knows we shall be. HMM
What is your responsibility when it comes to claiming promises from God?
Delight yourselves in the Lord (Ps. 37:4). Christians should rejoice in God and desire to walk in obedience. The Lord must have first place in your life before you can claim the promise in this verse.
Commit your way to the Lord (v. 5). Allow God to change any aspect of your ambition that is not His will.
Trust in Him (v. 5). God is merciful, all-knowing, kind, and generous. You can trust Him with your hopes and dreams.
Rest in Him (v. 7). Resting in the Lord means trusting Him to answer prayers in His timing or transform your aspirations so they conform to His will.
Wait upon the Lord patiently (v. 7). Jesus waited three decades before beginning His three-year ministry on earth. According to His example, waiting is one of the key principles of Christian living.
Do your desires align with God's purpose and plan for your life? He longs to give His followers abundant blessings and fullness of joy. So allow your dreams to be conformed to the Lord's will, and follow His guidance faithfully. Only when you surrender to Him will you experience God's best for your life.
Do What Pleases God
by Max Lucado
Dad, would you intentionally break the arm of your child? Of course not. Such an action violates every fiber of your moral being. Yet if you engage in sexual activity outside your marriage, you’ll bring more pain into the life of your child than a broken bone.
Mom, would you force your children to sleep outside on a cold night? By no means. Yet if you involve yourself in an affair, you’ll bring more darkness and chill into the lives of your children than a hundred winters.
Actions have consequences. Make this your rule of thumb: Do what pleases God! Your classmates showed you a way to cheat, the internet provides pornography to watch—ask yourself the question, “How can I please God?” Psalm 4:5 says, “Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord and trust the Lord.” You will never go wrong doing what is right!
Judgment Is God's Jobby Max LucadoThere is power in revenge. Intoxicating power. Haven’t we tasted it? Haven’t we been tempted to get even? As we escort the offender into the courtroom, we announce, “He hurt me!” and jurors shake their heads in disgust. “He abandoned me!” we explain, and the chambers echo with our accusation. “Guilty!” the judge snarls as he slams the gavel. “Guilty!” the jury agrees. We delight in this moment of justice. We relish this pound of flesh.
I don’t mean to be cocky, but why are you doing God’s work for Him? “Vengeance” is Mine,” God declared. “I will repay.” Proverbs 20:22 says, “Don’t say, ‘I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.’ Wait for the Lord, and He will make things right.” Judgment is God’s job. To assume otherwise is to assume God can’t do it. God has not asked us to settle the score or get even. Ever!
The Wisdom of God
“And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.” (1 Kings 3:28)
Although God’s wisdom is expounded in depth in the Scriptures, there are only seven times that the specific phrase “the wisdom of God” is used as such. The above text is indicating that God’s wisdom can actually be manifested in men through divine inspiration. The Persian king recognized this also in Ezra. “And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges . . . all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not” (Ezra 7:25). The wisdom of God thus is always consistent with the laws of God—that is, with the Scriptures.
The first New Testament reference is from Christ. “Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles” (Luke 11:49). Here the Lord is applying a scriptural principle from 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, in effect calling the Scriptures themselves “the wisdom of God.”
Then Paul three times uses the same phrase: “In the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God.” Human wisdom can never, by itself, discover God, but this very fact is bound up in the divine wisdom, revealed only through the Word of God. “We preach . . . Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” That is, through both the written word and the living Word, we can proclaim true wisdom. “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery . . . which God ordained before the world unto our glory” (1 Corinthians 1:21, 23-24; 2:7).
Finally, with God’s wisdom manifested through chosen men of God, we also can preach true wisdom in Christ, “to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:10). HMM
Walking in the Spirit
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
This promise in our text is followed in a later Pauline epistle by two nuanced commands in the letter to the church at Galatia.
“This I say then,” Paul says, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Then again, “if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
Although they appear to be the same command in English, there is a significant distinction in the original Greek language in which Paul penned the letters.
Both the Romans 8:1 and the Galatians 5:16 passages use the word perepeto, which carries the connotation to “walk around” and to “be at liberty.”
The second iteration in Galatians 5:25 uses stoicheo, which means to “step precisely,” to “march,” or to “go in procession.” Same command but different emphasis.
The context of Galatians 5 stresses the difference between a lifestyle of fleshly behavior and a life controlled by the Holy Spirit. The “fruits” of the flesh and the “fruit” of the Spirit are diametrically opposed. They cannot exist together; they are not harmonious (Romans 8:5-8). We either “mind” the things of the flesh or the “things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).
The Christian walk has great liberty (Romans 8:21), but that liberty must “step precisely” in honesty (Romans 13:13), good works (Ephesians 2:10), and in truth (2 John 4-6). Our walk is expected to be by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), and we are to conduct a spiritual warfare in the Holy Spirit’s power (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) protected by the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). HMM III
The Power to Edify
“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” (2 Corinthians 13:10)
The Greek word oikodomos (translated as “edification”) pictures the building of a house. We still use the word edifice to describe a structure of some importance. Paul specifically said he had the “power” to edify and later called himself a “wise masterbuilder,” an architekton, who laid the foundation on which we would later build (1 Corinthians 3:10).
When Jesus used oikodomos to depict those who might build their house on a rock (His Word) or the sand (the ideas of men), He was painting a picture of how we should edify each other (Luke 6:48-49). The various gifts of leadership are to be used to “perfect” the saints in the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12), using the living “stones” that will build the “spiritual house” of God (1 Peter 2:5).
And like any good builder, the Christian carpenter has tools of the trade to assist the process. There are “things which make for peace” that must be employed (Romans 14:19). Most certainly “charity” is a major tool (1 Corinthians 8:1), along with good communication that does not “corrupt” the building work (Ephesians 4:29).
Since “all things” are to be done so that the church is edified (1 Corinthians 14:26), it surely follows that “fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions” are not helpful (1 Timothy 1:4). Effective communication demands that those with whom we are speaking understand what is said, hence a mysterious “tongue” does not publicly edify like prophecy does (1 Corinthians 14:2-4).
An “edified” church walks “in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:31). HMM III
A Truly New Thing
“How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.” (Jeremiah 31:22)
Long ago, the wise man concluded: “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That nothing is now being created is even recognized as a scientific law.
But God reminds us as He reminded His backsliding people of Israel that He has, indeed, created one new thing in the earth. Since only God can “create,” a really new thing would have to be produced directly by the Lord Himself. Of course, God had completed His original work of creating all things long ago (Genesis 2:1-3), including a marvelous mechanism for human reproduction. Nevertheless, because of man’s sin, He very soon had to begin a work of reconciliation, and this included a primeval promise that “the seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15) would come someday to accomplish this great work. Since all normal reproduction requires male seed, such a miracle would mean God would have to create a new thing when the appropriate time would come. At that time, as Isaiah prophesied many years later, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,” and that Son would be “the mighty God,” who would establish His kingdom “with justice from henceforth even for ever” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7).
Then, still later, Jeremiah reminded his forgetful people of this same great promise: God would create, by His mighty power, a new thing, a perfect human body, without inherited sin or physical blemish, and with no contribution from either male or female, in the womb of a specially called virgin. She would compass that “holy thing” (Luke 1:35) with warmth and love for nine long months as it grew in her womb. Then, in the fullness of time, “God sent forth his Son, made of a woman” (Galatians 4:4), to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). HMM
Our Incomparable CompanionJohn 14:16-18
Most of us don’t like being alone for extended periods of time. In fact, we are not designed to live in isolation. Even at the very beginning, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). But sometimes situations in life leave us separated from others. Or perhaps we simply feel lonely, even though we live with our mate or family. But whatever your situation may be, if you are a believer, you’re never alone.
Knowing His followers could feel abandoned after His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus promised to send them a Helper who would never leave them—the Spirit of truth. The same One who came to them at Pentecost still abides within every believer. He has been sent to walk alongside us as our comforter, enabler, and guide.
Because we were created for God, only through His Spirit are we made complete. He is the ultimate solution to man’s aloneness: He’s always available and will never forsake or forget you. When others let you down, the Comforter is present to lift you up with the reminder that you’re not alone.
We Need a Good Shepherdby Max Lucado
Sheep aren�t smart. They tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool grows heavy and they drown. They have no sense of direction. They need a shepherd to lead them to calm water. So do we! We, like sheep, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided. We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour.
Isaiah 53:6 reminds us, �We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way.� We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us. And Jesus is that Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The Shepherd who protects, provides, and possesses his sheep. The Psalmist says: The Lord is my shepherd! (Psalm 23). The imagery is carried over to the New Testament as Jesus is called the good shepherd of the sheep. (John 10:14-15).
What You Won't Regret - by Greg Laurie -
Don't be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.-Galatians 6:7
As life goes by, you come to realize that it's a good decision to obey God. There will be times when that isn't difficult. And there will be times when it is. There will be times when it's very difficult to make that stand for Christ.
There are people in life who seem to get ahead, even when they cut corners, even when they're dishonest. They still get the promotion and still get the attention. Meanwhile, you're laboring away faithfully and quietly, and no one notices. Just know this: it's all going to come out in the end, because everyone will reap what they sow.
As you look back on your life, you'll find some who pursued fun while you pursued faith. Some pursued parties while you pursued prayer. Some pursued sexual pleasure while you pursued sexual purity. Some pursued this world while you pursued the next.
But while others reap corruption, or deadness, you're reaping life. When others feel used, you feel new.
The apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Galatians 6:8 NKJV).
Every day, from the moment you get up until the time you go to bed, you're either sowing to the Spirit or sowing to the flesh. You can start your day by checking your social media accounts, or you can put first things first and let God speak to you through His Word.
You make decisions throughout the day about what you let into your mind, what you contemplate, what you ponder. And you will find that you reap what you sow.
Sow to the spirit, and you won't regret it. Do what is right before God.
God Hates Arroganceby Max Lucado Proverbs 16:18 reminds us as humility goes before honor, �pride goes before a fall.�
Ever wonder why churches are powerful in one generation but empty the next? The Bible says, the Lord will tear down the house of the proud. God hates arrogance. He hates it because we haven�t done anything to be arrogant about. Is there a Pulitzer for ink? Can you imagine a scalpel growing smug after a successful heart transplant? Of course not. They are only tools. So are we. We may be the canvas, the paper, or the scalpel, but we are not the one who deserve the applause.
David declares who does in Psalm 23, �He makes me, He leads me, He restores my soul� for His name's sake." For His name's sake! No other name. This is all done for God�s glory. He takes the credit, not because He needs it, but because He knows we cannot handle it!
Out of the Ivory Palaces
�All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.� (Psalm 45:8)
Psalm 45 is one of the Messianic psalms, quoted as such in Hebrews 1:8-9. The section so quoted (vv. 6-7), which immediately precedes our text, begins with one Person of the Godhead addressing the Messiah also as �God,� whose throne is eternal. Then, He says, �Oh God, . . . thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.� The �oil of gladness� was the holy oil used for the anointing of priests and kings and was compounded of a mixture of spices that included myrrh and cassia (Exodus 30:22-25). Since the Messiah had been anointed to be �above his fellows� (first as High Priest, then as King of kings), �all his garments� would bear the sweet aroma of the holy ointment.
At the birth of Christ, His garments were �swaddling clothes,� and the gifts of the eastern wise men included a supply of myrrh and frankincense (Luke 2:7; Matthew 2:11). At His death, they gave Him to drink �wine mingled with myrrh [and] . . . parted his garments� (Mark 15:23-24). Then once again His body was wrapped in linen clothes and anointed with myrrh and aloes (John 19:39-40) for His burial.
The psalmist sees Christ (i.e., �Messiah,� both Greek and Hebrew titles meaning �the Anointed One�) emerging triumphantly from the �ivory palaces.� These mansions with their ivory walls and pearly gates are of shimmering white beauty in the distant heavenly city that will someday descend to Earth (Revelation 21:2, 10-21).
The Lord descended once from these ivory palaces to take on human flesh in Mary�s womb, thence to a burial in Joseph�s tomb. But someday He will again come forth, anointed as eternal King, and then �shall the people praise thee for ever and ever� (Psalm 45:17). HMM
Our Divine Teacher
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
One of the reasons that many people�including believers�don�t read the Bible is because they can�t understand it. We would expect that to be the case for those who don�t know Christ, but why do so many believers fail to comprehend the truths of Scripture? Maybe it�s because they haven�t asked for help from their divine Teacher. One of the Holy Spirit�s chief responsibilities is to enable Christians to understand the things of God.
The Spirit�s goal is not to fill your mind with information but to bring you to a deeper level in your relationship with the Lord. He wants you to understand the truth so you will fall in love with Jesus. Then you�ll long to spend time in the Word, thereby getting to know Him even better.
But all these treasures of God�s Word could remain out of reach if you never ask the Teacher to unlock them. Each time you read your Bible, ask the Lord for understanding. A wonderfully intimate love relationship with Christ awaits those who let the Spirit reveal to them the thoughts of God.
Where Fearless Courage Comes From - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.-Psalm 63:4
The story of Daniel in the lion's den is so familiar that we can almost dismiss it as a fable of some kind. But this is a real story that actually took place. And one of the takeaway truths we discover from it is that God did not deliver Daniel out of the lion's den; He delivered him in it.
Sometimes God will take us out of our problems. But there are other times when He will be with us as we're facing our problems, as we're walking through them. That was the case with Daniel. The Lord was with him in that den of lions, as were some angels, and out of the worst conceivable situation came the ultimate good.
Maybe nothing stands out more in this story of Daniel than this one simple fact: Daniel was a man of prayer. Yes, he was a spiritual man. Yes, he was a purposeful man. Yes, he was a persecuted man. But let's not miss the fact that he was a praying man.
And when Daniel learned about a new law that banned praying to anyone but the king, what did he do? Daniel 6:10 gives us the answer: "But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God" (NLT).
Just as he had always done . . . Daniel had done this from his youth, and he still was doing it in his later years. When he knelt down on his knees, he received his fearless courage. This reminds us of a simple truth: If you kneel before God, you can stand before any man.
Anxiety Ain't Funby Max LucadoAnxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs. The sky is falling, and it�s falling disproportionately on you. Anxiety ain�t fun! One would think Christians would be exempt from worry but we are not. It�s enough to make us wonder if the apostle Paul was out of touch with reality when he wrote in Philippians 4:6, �Be anxious for nothing.�
Is that what he meant? Not exactly. He wrote the phrase in the present active tense�implying an ongoing state. �Don�t let anything in life leave you perpetually breathless and in angst.� The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. Could you use some calm? Of course you could. We all could! We all could use a word of comfort and God is ready to give it.
The Amen
�For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.� (2 Corinthians 1:20)
The word �amen� is a most remarkable word. It is transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best-known word in human speech.
The word is directly related�in fact, almost identical�to the Hebrew word for �believe� (aman), or �faithful.� Thus, it came to mean �sure� or �truly,� an expression of absolute trust and confidence. When one believes God, he indicates his faith by an �amen.� When God makes a promise, the believer�s response is �amen���so it will be!� In the New Testament it is often translated �verily� or �truly.� When we pray according to His Word and His will, we know God will answer, so we close with an �amen,� and so also do we conclude a great hymn or anthem of praise and faith.
The word is even a title of Christ Himself. The last of His letters to the seven churches begins with a remarkable salutation by the glorified Lord: �These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God� (Revelation 3:14). We can be preeminently certain that His Word is always faithful and true because He is none other than the Creator of all things, and thus He is our eternal �Amen.�
As our text reminds us, every promise of God in Christ is �yea and amen,� as strong an affirmation of truth as can be expressed in the Greek language.
It is, therefore, profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an �amen.� �The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen� (Revelation 22:21), assuring everyone who reads these words that the whole Book is absolutely true and trustworthy. Amen! HMM
Why God Speaks
James 1:23-25
God is not one to speak in generalities. When He whispers from the pages of Scripture or confronts through a friend's words, the Father directly addresses issues in His children's lives. With that in mind, let's look at His three goals for communicating with believers�namely, for us to:
2. Conform to the truth. Our lives are shaped by our belief system. What we hold as true influences our thinking. In turn, how we think affects our character, conduct, and conversation. God is determined to mold His children into Christlikeness so that they reflect His gospel to the world.
3. Communicate the truth. Every child of God is called to make disciples (Matt. 28:19). Believers can know the Lord and walk in His light but still fall short of this expectation. We must share the gospel by sharing God's truth with others and explaining how His words played out in our lives.
Notice that each goal builds on the one preceding it. Christians are a light reflecting God's glory to this world. We shine brightly by being attentive to God's voice and following His will. And when someone takes an interest in the source of our light, we are prepared to share the good news of Christ.
Spirit Dominated - by Greg Laurie -
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.-Daniel 6:3
Daniel's spiritual life wasn't merely an afterthought. It wasn't something that he found time for in his busy schedule. His life revolved around it.
As Daniel 6 opens, Babylon has fallen. Darius is now in charge of the Persian kingdom. And immediately, Daniel appears on the new king's radar.
Why was that? Daniel had integrity and honesty. He stood out from other people. And at around eighty years old, he was a seasoned saint.
King Darius wanted to elevate Daniel above his other advisors, making him the most powerful man in the kingdom, next to the king himself. The king chose him for such a position as a result of his hard work, excellence, and integrity.
We need Christians like Daniel in our government and schools. We need them in medicine, music, and sports. The list goes on and on. We need believers to let their lights shine everywhere.
And like Daniel, Christians should always do their best work. They should be the best at whatever they do.
In effect, Daniel had a ministry in politics. He influenced world leaders and didn't compromise the truth. The Bible tells us that he "distinguished himself above the other governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him" (Daniel 6:3 NKJV).
"Excellent spirit" also translates "spirit dominated." You're never more clearheaded than when the Holy Spirit is directing you.
Although Daniel lived at the epicenter of rampant idolatry and incredible cruelty, he remained a righteous man. In the midst of widespread sexual immorality, Daniel flourished spiritually.
That is because Daniel made time for what mattered: his relationship with God.
A Prayer of Confessionby Max LucadoConfession isn�t a punishment for sin; it�s an isolation of sin so it can be exposed and extracted. Exactly what is it that you need forgiveness for? For being a bad person? That�s too general. For losing your patience in the business meeting and calling your coworker a creep? There, you can confess that.
Be firm in a prayer of confession. Satan traffics in guilt and will not give up an addict without a fight. Exercise your authority as a child of God. Tell guilt where to get off. �I left you at the cross, you evil spirit. Stay there!�
Then for heaven�s sake, stop tormenting yourself. Jesus is strong enough to carry your sin. Psalm 103:12 says, �He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.�
Before you say amen�comes the power of a simple prayer.
Genuine Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:8-10
Because we desire to be more like Jesus, we make resolutions, ask Him to help us, and try to behave differently. Yet despite our best efforts to do things God's way, we slide back into old habits. Frustrated, we may ask Him, "Why can't I change?" The reason is, overcoming sinful attitudes and behaviors starts with genuine repentance, which has three aspects.
Contrition. The next step--grieving over our iniquity--is followed by confession to the Lord. Genuine sorrow arises from the knowledge that we've sinned against Him. In contrast, human unhappiness often comes from being caught misbehaving. Other times we are miserable because of where our choices led us, or feel shame that people know about our sin. True contrition is followed by humble confession.
Commitment to act. Real repentance is complete when we wholeheartedly pledge to turn from our old behavior and move toward righteous ways. God knows we won't live perfectly, but He looks for a surrendered heart that diligently seeks to obey Him.
Paul used strong language when telling us to turn from iniquity: "Put to death... whatever belongs to your earthly nature" (Col. 3:5 niv). What sin are you struggling to overcome? Have you genuinely repented, committing to turn from it permanently? Let the Holy Spirit empower you to change.
People of Purpose
- by Greg Laurie -
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.-Daniel 1:8
Daniel 1Daniel 1When Daniel was very young, probably a teenager, the Babylonians carried him away captive to Babylon. They brought him to the king's palace to groom him in the Babylonian ways, along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
But Daniel was a man of purpose. The Bible tells us that he "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank" (Daniel 1:8 NKJV).
Daniel made a principled stand to not eat the food at the king's table. We don't know why. The Bible doesn't say. Maybe the Babylonians offered the food to idols, which I think was probably the case. But God honored their stand as a result. And in the end, Daniel and his friends were healthier than everyone else.
Daniel made a stand in a seemingly minor area. It doesn't seem like a big thing, but it was to Daniel. Consequently, that experience gave him the strength he needed to make a stand in a significant area later in his life.
In the same way, if we make a stand in a seemingly small area now, we'll be able to make a stand in a major area later.
Growing older can mean becoming set in our ways. We like routine. We like doing things the same way. That can be bad or good. It can be bad if we're not open to any kind of change. But it can be good if we're set in our spiritual ways and hardened in our spiritual disciplines.
We have a choice in life. We can be either thermostats or thermometers. A thermostat determines the temperature in the room. A thermometer simply tells you what the temperature is. Which one will you be?
God's Call to RepentanceLuke 15:11-24
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger brother asked to receive his inheritance early so he might live as he chose. Once the father gave him his share, he made many unwise choices that led to hunger and destitution. What happened next illustrates the principles of godly repentance.
Knowing that his difficulties came from his sinful behavior, the prodigal grieved over his mistakes and acknowledged that he had sinned against the Lord (v. 18). He declared he was no longer worthy to be his father's son. Godly sorrow and confession led the young man to leave that place and go home. His repentance was made complete when he turned away from his old ways and returned to his father. The Lord likewise calls us to repent and return to Him.
What a welcome the prodigal son received. Upon seeing him, the father was filled with compassion and ran to embrace him. Forgiveness and acceptance were extended to the son. Both are blessings that God freely offers to whoever asks Him.
The prodigal son did not clean himself up before returning home. He simply left his old life, turned toward home, and trusted in his father's mercy. The heavenly Father calls us to repent and offers us forgiveness when we turn away from our self-centered ways and move toward godliness (1 John 1:9).
God Knows Me
�O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.� (Psalm 139:1)
Perhaps the most frightening attribute of God is that He knows everything about us. Everything! He has �searched� (literally �penetrated�) us and �known� (�understood�) us. And since God is both omnipresent and omniscient, it obviously follows that nothing escapes His conscious knowledge about us. He observes our ordinary activities (v. 2) and our innermost thoughts. �Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways� (v. 3). The Hebrew word translated �compassest� suggests that He actually sees the formation of the words in our tongues before we begin to speak them (v. 4). That means that we are transparent to Him; we cannot deceive Him in any way. He knows what we are going to think; we cannot hide anything from Him. God knows what only we know about ourselves and those things we won�t even admit to ourselves.
Furthermore, He is everywhere around each one of us (vv. 7-10), wherever we are or could be. He fills all space, and there is no escape. We cannot hide from God. He is wherever we go. The apostle Paul once observed: �For in him we live, and move, and have our being� (Acts 17:28). This very intimate and complete knowledge about us is what makes God�s salvation such a marvelous matter. �For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us� (Romans 5:6-8). God loves us in spite of what we have become. Yet, since He knows what we could be, He gives us eternal life through His Son so that we will realize, one day, what He knows we shall be. HMM
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